Occlusal gauge



p 1931- R. 1.. BEELER 1,823,184

OCCLUSAL GAUGE Filed June 13. 1929 avwcufoz ,R L- ,Beezer Patented Sept.15 193i UNETEQ STATES RICHARD L. BEELER, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY OCGLUSALGAUGE Application filed. June 13,

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive andefficient instrument whereby measurements of a human face may be takenso that the position of the teeth may be accurately determined relativeto a fixed point. The invention is designed more particularly for use indental work and to facilitate the placing of artificial dentures but itmay, of course, be used in other fields. The invention is illustrated inthe accompanying drawing and will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an edge View of a gauge embodying thepresent invention,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective. In carrying out my presentinvention, I provide a frame which is substantially inverted U-shape andformed from a single continuous length of stout wire or light rod. Thisframe has parallel side portions 1 and an upper arched portion 2 whichis offset rearwardly and inwardly, as shown at 3, from the sidemembers 1. The apex of the arch 2 is slightly offset forwardly from theside portions thereof, as shown at f, whereby the arched extension isadapted to extend across the bridge of the patients nose and restcomfortably thereon, the side portions of the arch extending downwardlyat opposite sides of the nose to points'below the eyes. Mounted upon theside members or legs 1 and adapted to move along the same and be heldthereto at any desired point are an upper cross bar 5 and a lowersimilar cross bar 6, these bars being provided at their ends withbearings, as shown at 7, to encircle the mem- 40 bers 1 and guide thebars in their movements along the side members. Each said bar isconstructed with a central opening through which is slidably fitted anarm 8, the upper surface of which is graduated, as shown at 9, to denotemeasurements. The legs or side members 1 are each constructed withequally distant spaced notches 10 in their outer surfaces, and thesenotches may be numbered and graduated to inches and fractions of incheswhereby accurate measurements may 1929. SeriaLNo. 370,639.

be taken. Cooperating with each end of the cross bars 5 and 6 arefastenings in the form of clips 11 having their extremities disposedrespectively above and below the adjacent cross bar and formed intohooks or loops adapted to engage notches 10 in the respectively adjacentlegs. Retractile springs 12 are attached to the clips and the cross barsand serve to hold the clips in engagement with the notches in which theyare set so that the cross bars will be held in the positions to whichthey are respectively adjusted. The lower arm 8 is formed integral withor rigidly secured to a chin rest 13 which is disposed at the inner sideof the frame and has a front upstanding web to which the arm is attachedand a lower rearwardly projecting web which is adapted to extend underand bear against the chin of the patient.

The use of the instrument will, it is thought, be readily understood.The frame is set in front of the patients face with the upper archedextension 2 spanning the bridge of the nose and the offset portions 3will, consequently, cause the legs or side members 1 to asume verticalpositions in front of and spaced from the face of the patient. The upperarm 8 is then adjusted so that the rear end of the same will bearagainst the lower edge of the upper teeth or against the edge of theupper lip and the distance from the apex 4 of the arch to the upper arm8 is noted upon a chart so that the position of the teeth or the liprelative to the bridge of the nose will be accurately known. The chinrest 13 is adjusted to bear against the chin and the distance of thechin from, the bridge of the nose is likewise noted. The graduations orscales upon the arms 8 are also read so as to note the distance betweenthe front of the chin and the vertical plane of theframe and the similardistance from the lip or teeth to the vertical plane of the frame sothat the dentist is enabled to prepare an accurate chart indicating theposition of the teeth with the mouth closed and the mouth open and,consequently, is enabled to fit artificial dentures Without experimentalwork. The sides of the arched extension 2 are graduated in the samemanner that the side 100 members or legs 1 are graduated and thedistance of the edge of the lower eyelid from the bridge of the nosemay, therefore, be easily noted.

5 My device is exceedingly simple and, therefore, may be produced at alowcost. Owing to the simplicity of its construction, it may be-easilymanipulated and will give the desired measurements accurately.

Obviously the terms front, rear etc. employed in the foregoingdescription are used in relation to the position of the device when itis in use, the rear side of the frame being the side next to the face ofthe patient when the device is in place.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An occlusal gauge comprising an in-v verted U-shaped frame having itsside memzobers offset rearwardly at their upper ends and defining anupwardly extending arch to span the nose of a patient with the sides ofthe frame spaced from the patient and disposed at the sides of the nose,the side members of the frame and the sides of the arch being graduated,measuring elements adjustably mounted upon the sides of the frame, andmeans for retaining said elements in a set position.

2. Anocclusalgauge comprising a graduatt ed frame having parallel sidemembers, cross bars slidably fitted at their ends upon the side membersof the frame, measuring arms slidably fitted to the cross bars, andmeans cooperating with the cross bars for maintaining them in setpositions upon the side members of the frame.

3. An occlusal gauge comprising a frame having parallel graduated sidemembers,

40 cross bars having their ends engaged with the side members of theframe for movement along the same graduated arms slidably fitted to thecross bars, clips associated with the ends of the cross: bars to engagethe side members of the frame, and means for maintaining the clips inengagement with the side members of the frame.

4:. An occlusal gauge comprising a frame having parallel graduated sidemembers,

cross bars fitted to said side members for movement along the same,graduated arms slidably fitted to said cross bars, clips disposed at theends of the cross bars and adapted to encircle the side members of theframe,

and retractile springs attached to the clips and to the cross barswhereby to maintain the clips in engagement with the side members andhold the cross bars in set positions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RICHARD L. BEELER. [1 8.]

